Bonchamp

Bonchamp, CHARLES, MARQUIS DE, one of the bravest of the Vendean leaders, was born at the château of Jouverteil, in Anjou, May 10, 1760. He served as a volunteer in the American revolutionary war, and was a captain in the French army at the outbreak of the French revolution. A strong royalist, he naturally disliked the revolution, and consequently lived in retirement until chosen leader of the Anjou insurgents. In conjunction with La Rochejacquelein and Cathelineau he fought with great bravery and frequent success, but his superior knowledge of military tactics was not sufficiently made use of by the insurgent army. In the sanguinary encounter at Cholet, October 17, 1793, Bonchamp received a fatal shot in the breast, and when his followers vowed to revenge his death on five thousand republican prisoners, the dying hero exclaimed: 'Spare your prisoners. I command it.' This last command was obeyed.